Your Providence Public Library

Providence Public Library is an essential agency of public education and crucial to the infrastructure of the Rhode Island community. We are one of the few major libraries in the United States that is a private not-for-profit institution governed by a Board of Directors, giving us the flexibility to respond to community need rapidly and effectively. More...

On exhibition from August 5-October 30.

Take a walk downtown to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Providence Police department with exhibitions at two locations. Providence City Hall will feature policing from the colonial period through 1900. Providence Public Library covers the turn of the 20th century to the present day.

Featured programs

August 12 at 4:30 pm - Exhibition Opening

Start at PPL and join the Police parade down to City Hall for an opening reception of the dual exhibition.

August 18 at 6:30 pm - Book talk and exhibition tour

The authors of a new history of theProvidence Police Department will discuss their research and new book and provide a guided tour of the exhibition.

September 29 at 6:30 pm - Lecture "Protecting Providence in the 19th Century" by Michelle Valletta